SITE 173 ROTHLEY PARISH CHURCH

OS REF:SK586126

Date 3rd September 2003

There are many Yews in the churchyard and some good Lime Trees, which will not be classed as 'Ancient' but will help to build up a picture of the Limes in Rothley. This is a good wildlife site for birds as it is not an isolated site but links up with the grounds of the Old Vicarage, Site 147, Priest's Meadow Site 146 and the grounds of The Grange Site 122, all containing Ancient Trees. It is therefore an important site in the village 'wildlife corridor' especially as the yews fruit very well and provides food for the birds in the autumn and winter, especially the thrush family.

We started by measuring the Limes and Yews in the area of the Saxon Cross, the yews being in need of maintenance as they are in danger of loosing their shape and crowding each other out. English Heritage came to look at the Saxon Cross in July this year and recommended that the surrounding trees be kept trimmed as the shade was detrimental to the Saxon Cross by causing erosion. Charnwood Borough Council was called in by the Churchwarden and they will be carrying out the trimming at a date yet unknown.

In the meantime, I looked into the possibility of using the yew trimmings for the manufacture of the anti-cancer drug Taxol but the firm doing this, Limehurst, only want the trimmings from yew hedges, not trees, as the clippings are young and fresh. However, it did make the Churchwarden aware of looking at the churchyard as a living site for its trees and wildlife. He is very interested in what we are doing by recording the trees and will provide any help or records to assist.

6th September 2003

We made a further visit to continue with our tree recording.

Date: January 2013Six nestboxes were sited on trees around the churchyard.

Plan of the churchyard and trees.2006

Site 173 April 2003

Site 173 The Saxon Cross April 2003

Site 173 The Saxon Cross. We wanted to know if there were any markings on the top. Sadly, nothing. January 2004

Site 173 The Saxon Cross. January 2004

Site 173 Entrance from Church Street. 2003

Site 173 Detail on the entrance gates in Church Street. 2003

Looking back from the gates into Church Street. April 2003

Site 173 Trees from left to right 204,205,206 by the path leading to Hallfields Lane. April 2003

Site 173 The Hunt Headstone centre back is a Listed Monument. 2003

Site 173 Detail from the Hunt Headstone. 2003

For more information about the Hunt Headstone please click on the following link: